Twenty percent of obese people may have fatty liver disease, according to the Better Health Channel, an information website produced by the state government of Victoria, Australia. Fatty liver disease, or steatosis, is a buildup of fat that may lead to inflammation and scarring of the liver, which is known as cirrhosis. In extreme cases, fatty liver disease may lead to liver failure. Fatty liver disease often has no symptoms, although you may feel fatigued or have some abdominal tenderness. Your doctor can usually diagnosis fatty liver disease using a blood test or an MRI, but may need to do a liver biopsy to determine the extent of advanced or severe cases. In most cases, you can treat fatty liver disease with simple changes in diet and lifestyle choices.
Step 1
Stop drinking alcohol. Your liver filters toxins, breaking down alcohol so it can be eliminated from your body. If you consume more alcohol than your liver can process, the alcohol will damage or destroy liver cells. According to the American Liver Foundation, almost all heavy drinkers have fatty liver disease, but the condition usually diminishes when the drinking stops.
Step 2
Lose weight. The most important thing you can do to reverse fatty liver disease is to attain and maintain a healthy body weight. However, very rapid weight loss from procedures such as gastric bypass may cause fatty liver disease.
Step 3
Stabilize your glucose levels and lower your cholesterol levels. If you have diabetes, inflammation and damage to your liver cells may be caused by poor blood sugar control. High triglyceride levels, diabetes, obesity and fatty liver disease seem to go hand-in-hand.
Step 4
Develop a regular exercise program. Work out at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Physical activity may also help you lose weight.
Step 5
Stop taking any medications that may damage your liver. Synthetic estrogen used to treat menopause; cortisone taken to reduce inflammation; tamoxofin used to fight breast cancer; and methotrexate, which reduces the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, may all contribute to fatty liver disease.
Tips and Warnings
- Pregnancy may cause fatty liver disease temporarily. After you give birth, the liver usually heals itself.
- Help prevent liver damage by avoiding toxic chemicals -- wear a respirator and use solvents or spray paint in a well-ventilated area.
